Smith-Morra miniatures

Originally posted by black beetle
Sixty Four squares Universe
Lucidity Stability
Cunning Improvisation
Balance non analysed

Icarus' heart is always red
His mind holds Image like a mirror
His red heart blows hard blood red clouds
Seductive and alluring vigour

The stars of his blue darkness shine
His shining darkness is a shrine
An Image caused Icarus' fall
Keeping his mind still overall
😵

oh beetle my friend, we are not worthy of such eloquence, we bow! 🙂

It helps to be attack-minded if you play the Morra. It's also useful not to be obsessed with material advantage over initiative.

14. .. g6 (14. .. Kd8 15.Bc7+ Ke7 16.Qf7 mate) 15.Qf3 Nh6 16.Qf6 Qxe5 17.Qxe5+ Kf7 18.Qe7+ Kg8 19.Qf8 mate.

Originally posted by woodworm
[pgn][Event "Clan challenge"]
[Site "http://www.chessatwork.com"]
[Date "2003.10.21"]
[EndDate "2003.11.21"]
[Round "?"]
[White "woodworm"]
[Black "mambley"]
[WhiteRating "2306"]
[BlackRating "1286"]
[WhiteELO "2306"]
[BlackELO "1286"]
[Result "1-0"]
[GameId "304655"]

1. e4 c5 2. d4 cxd4 3. c3 dxc3 4. Nb1xc3 e5 5. Ng1f3 Nb8c6 6. Bf1c4 Bf8b4 ...[text shortened]... e) [b]15.Qf3 Nh6 16.Qf6 Qxe5 17.Qxe5+ Kf7 18.Qe7+ Kg8 19.Qf8 mate.[/b]

I suppose the Morra can be thought of as a romantic or idealistic opening, which means that White sacrifices material in order to a) develop quickly & control the centre and b) attack Black's weakest square; f7.

An early ...e5 means that, instead of being protected by ...e6, the f7 square is now vulnerable, especially after White plays Bc4 & possibly Qb3, Qd5 or sometimes the more obvious looking Ng5.
Playing the move so soon leaves Black's kingside woefully behind in development.

After 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 4.Nxc3 e5? 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.Bc4 it's easy for Black to simply throw the game away

6...Nf6? and White has 7.Ng5 d5 8.Nxd5 Nxd5 9.Bxd5

6...Be7? 7.Qd5! is simply too good.
6...Bc5? 7.Bxf7+! Kxf7 8.Qd5+ Ke8 9.Qxc5 & it's almost time for a pint.

6...h6? is often played, preventing the Ng5 threat but allowing the move 7.Qb3! which virtually wins on the spot. Here's a game that demonstrates the mess Black gets into after the early ...e5 error:

I've done this in 5 minute blitz before but astonishing that in CC a 1900+ player could fall for the oldest trick in the Morra Gambit book! 😲
Game 5595713

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
I've done this in 5 minute blitz before but astonishing that in CC a 1900+ player could fall for the oldest trick in the Morra Gambit book! 😲
Game 5595713

[pgn][Event "October 2008 Hardcore Grand VI"] [Site "http://www.playtheimmortalgame.com"] [Date "2008.10.28"] [EndDate "2008.10.31"] [Round "1"] [White "Blanca"] [Black "mang00neg"] [WhiteR ...[text shortened]... 11. Rf1e1 Bf8g7 12. Re1xe5 Ke6d6 13. Nc3b5 Kd6c6 14. Qd8c7 1-0[/pgn]

lol

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
I've done this in 5 minute blitz before but astonishing that in CC a 1900+ player could fall for the oldest trick in the Morra Gambit book! 😲
Game 5595713

[pgn][Event "October 2008 Hardcore Grand VI"] [Site "http://www.playtheimmortalgame.com"] [Date "2008.10.28"] [EndDate "2008.10.31"] [Round "1"] [White "Blanca"] [Black "mang00neg"] [WhiteR 11. Rf1e1 Bf8g7 12. Re1xe5 Ke6d6 13. Nc3b5 Kd6c6 14. Qd8c7 1-0[/pgn]

Even though it is a hardcore grand I also find it astonishing.

BTW: nice game and analysis a couple of posts behind.

Thankyou for showing these to us. 🙂 it is great to have a good player like you post some games from time to time.